Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery/Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry
Phone: (412) 648-9097
e-mail: pag24@pitt.edu

Specialized Areas of Interest

Gene therapy for brain tumors using HSV-based vectors; molecular targeting to tumor cells; molecular mechanisms of tumor cell migration and the role of miRNAs in cancer progression.

Biography

Paola Grandi, PhD, joined the Department of Neurological Surgery as an assistant professor in April of 2005. She has a joint appointment in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics.

Dr. Grandi received a bachelor degree in biology from University of Ferrara in 1996 and her master’s degree in genetics in 1997. She earned a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Ferrara in 2001. In 2001 Dr. Grandi received a fellowship for U.S. study from University of Ferrara and was a post-doctoral fellow from 2001-2005 in the Molecular Neurogenetics Department at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

She is a member of the American Society of Gene Therapy and American Association Cancer Research and is the assistant editor of the journal Gene Therapy.

Dr. Grandi’s research interests include studies to understand the development and progression of brain tumors emphasizing the role of miRNAs in cancer genetics. She has a long standing interest in the molecular biololgy of herpes simplex virus, mechanisms of virus replication and neuropathogenesis and virus host cells interactions that result in innate immune responses to infection.

Much of her recent work has centered on the creation of herpes viral vectors for treatment of glioblastoma. This research has recently been funded by both R01 and P01 NIH grant mechanisms.

Dr. Grandi's publications can be reviewed through the National Library of Medicine's publication database.

Professional Organization Membership

American Society of Gene Therapy

Editorial Service

• Editorial Board:

Gene Therapy, assistant editor

• Ad Hoc Reviewer:

Molecular Therapy
Journal of Virology
Gene Therapy